There was a brisk wind on a fall morning of 1883 on the front steps of the Ryder residence in Silver Creek Springs, WY. The Ryders moved west from their original home in Athens, Georgia, after their first home was flooded in a storm, and news of the gold rush sent them west. They wound up in Silver Creek Springs though when they found a fertile patch of land for their corn business, and settled down in the area ever since.

Hank Ryder, an ambitious 17 year old teenager, was an aspiring sailor and explorer who is cooped up in his family business of farming. Despite his respect for his family's profession, Hank wanted to reach beyond the farmland that he grew up on. Reading the Silver Creek Press every morning, and learning about all the new discoveries of the age such as the construction of the Wilderness Lodge, and the Western Gold Mining ghost stories of Thunder Mountain, Hank wanted to break away and have an adventure of his own.

Hank's parents were caring, loving parents, yet after a few weeks into his final year of home schooling, Hank felt that he was ready for the true test of life. His father, a self-made man who valued the family business and staying within the family, denounced Hank's aspirations telling him that the world is a dangerous place, and he is better staying on the farm. Hank's mother was a little more flexible on the issue, encouraging her son to become his own man, but at the same time trying to tell him that his parents will be there for him. In the Ryder household, Hank also had an anthropomorphic pet otter, who when he would hold conversations with his pet, would be referred to as Brer Otter.

One evening, Hank and Brer Otter were talking about running away from home for good, with his companion Brer Otter trying to tell his friend that he should stay home and honor his parents' wishes. He references a story he has heard about Brer Rabbit back in Georgia, who wanted to run away from home, but ended up getting into a lot of trouble. Hank decides to disregard his wishes and he sneaks out at midnight along with Brer Otter, coming along on the journey to make sure nothing happens to his friend.

Walking to the dock in the town by the river, Hank unties his boat and sets sail down the river in the middle of the night up to Smith River in Montana. The moonlight shines over the two friends, guiding the boat into the light. During the night though, the cool breeze turns into rain, and the rain begins to disrupt the rapids of the river. His boat begins to swerve around the river and ends up taking a fork in the river that he didn't intend. The fork then sends Hank and Brer Otter down "Wallopin' Falls" a rough rapid section of the river that ends by sending them down a 35 foot drop into the calmer water below. Hank seems to regret this adventure as now they are very far off course, and tries to set sail back home. Yet, he realizes that his ship sails are damaged and ends up stopping in the town of Tumbleweed in Utah for repairs.

When he arrives in Tumbleweed, the town is abandoned, but he finds someone who gives him the necessary supplies for his continued journey. As he is leaving, he hears the rumblings of a runaway mine train roaring through the mountain. Trying to sail back home, Brer Otter tells him that his parents care for his safety and they want to see him be happy. Hank seemingly begins to realize that Brer Otter is right, until a small blue bird appears next to them on a tree branch.

"Mr Brer Otter, sir, your family in Georgia has been missing you, and they wanted me to come find you and tell you" Mr. Blue Bird said.

"I miss them too" Brer Otter responded. "Maybe after Hank goes home I can make a journey there"

Mr. Blue Bird replied "I visited your homestead in Silver Creek Springs, and Hank's parents told both of you to go and have your adventure. You've grown up, they love you, just be safe"

"They are the best, Brer" Hank said "C'mon, let's go find your family!" And with that, Brer Otter agreed happily, and the two set off to the east, first catching the Colorado River.

Along the Colorado River, they sailed past large boulders, mountains, and canyons, and meeting up with some critters in the region such as Porky Pine, who toured them through the colorful canyons of Nature's Wonderland. In the area, locals could be seen sliding down the slopping crevasses in the canyon, into the water below. Hank wanted to try Shootin' Falls, which almost like a cannon, shot you out at fast speeds, by picking up the dammed portion of the river that was being re-routed. After their magnificent tour of the canyons, they re-boarded their raft and continued down the Colorado River, before picking up the Red River, and approaching Platte's Fate, a large waterfall off the cliffs, with a twisting finish in the dark.

Picking up the Red River, Hank and Brer Otter sailed to the Red River Bayou, a local hang out spot where they got to know critters such as The Ol' Gator, who told them the story of when he caught two rascals named Brer Fox and Brer Bear. The Gator warns Hank and Brer Otter to stay out of trouble, and points them in the direction of the Mississippi River, which the two friends cross to reach other rivers that bring them to Georgia.

Eventually, they reach the Briar Patch, and Brer Otter reunites with his family. Hank Ryder sends Mr. Blue Bird a postcard from the Laughin' Place to give to his parents in Silver Creek Springs. The friends have finished their adventure and end by singing and having a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah day.​Parking & Transportation

This revitalized River Country Water Park has moved parking to the Ticket and Transportation Center. With the expansion of the Magic Kingdom parking lot and the close proximity to the River Country Area, we believe it made more sense to have guests park here then to build another parking lot and staff it. It also allows better guest control into Fort Wilderness Campground and Lodge resort areas. Disney Water Parks have had complimentary parking and we would continue this if tickets were purchased online ahead of time. A parking voucher would be printed with the ticket confirmation. World Drive would have a large section made into an underpass so the train can pass above. From the TTC guests would board the River Country Express Train, and take a short, five minute, ride to the main entrance of the River Country. This ride sets the mood as music plays and guests are immersed into the wilderness and abundance of natural beauty.

Improved Access

We decided to use the Ticket and Transportation Center as a way of generating more traffic to the expanded offerings in River Country. On the adjacent map you can see that the black line represents the railroad look that will travel between the TTC and River Country. The train line will travel under World Drive. Guests can easily transfer from the Magic Kingdom monorail system or visitors arriving on the Epcot monorail.

Buses can now drop guests at TTC for them to travel to River Country and the adjacent Jamboree Junction.

On the TTC side, there is a new MK/FW bus route. The bus route, drops resort guests off in the old bus depot (which will be moved elsewhere) and now that is a drop off point for guests to go to FW.

This new transportation offering makes it possible for more guests to visit River Country without requiring the use of large expanses of land devoted to parking, while taking advantage of the recent parking expansion near the Magic Kingdom with the closing of the speedway.

​Wilderness Lodge EntranceGuests walk from the new transportation connection or from the Wilderness Lodge Resort, they will trek through the trees and extended scenery of the Silver Creek Springs town. There will be three trails; a new biking trail for guests to commute back and forth between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort, separate and away from traffic. It will also be close to Bay Lake, offering scenic views for riders. The second path will be an exploring path, with a new wilderness expedition interactive experience that will use MyMagic+ technology. The final path will be a walking and jogging path, which will run parallel to the Fort Wilderness Railroad tracks and be a connecting path between the Wilderness Lodge to the outer banks of Silver Creek Springs and eventually to Walt Disney World's 3rd Water Park, River Country.

​Bear CrossingA small information depot as you approach the entrance to River Country from the west side. It is here you can purchase tickets for the park, rent lockers and towels, as well as receive general guide information about River Country.

Black Boulder DockFrom the tales of Hank Ryder and Brer Otter, Black Boulder Dock is where Hank keeps his raft. The raft, as a prop and reference to the short story that River Country is based on, can be seen as guests enter the park.